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[Bartholomew]

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The Virtuous Quest

Here at the Holy Church of the Virtues our main aim is to stand for the Virtues. Our reason for existing is to spread the Virtues to all whom we can reach and guide them to become Lightbringers in our society. Even if we were able to convert every sole within our lands to following the Virtues, we would still be required to provide guidance, supply counsel to those who strayed, and make the definitions of the Virtues pure, absolute and uniform throughout the land. We would also have to pursue achieving Balance between our people’s actions in fulfillment of the Virtues. Following the Virtues is a never-ending quest, as there exists many facets and depths to the Virtues. The Balancing of the Virtues is an esoteric goal, one of delicate intricacies and all encompassing efforts. But the luxury of much of this must wait, as first and foremost the Virtues must be restored as the guiding touchstone of all who are members of our society.

Currently we have about our lands covenants, guilds, leagues, federations, alliances, partnerships, coalitions and numerous other names used to unify peoples for like purpose who are not dedicated to the Virtues. One of the more repugnant of these are those who follow Chaos. Following that there are those who follow Order or Balance. Then there are those who dedicate themselves to violence, some with purpose, some for pay, some just for the pure pleasure, and still others needing to satisfy their bloodlust. Even these must for now be held in check and prevented from spreading their disdain for the Virtues. Converting them to the path of the Virtues must wait until we have returned ourselves to the path of the Virtues. Yes, I said that we too need to return to the Virtuous path. Who in this room can in reflection and with Honesty state that they have never strayed from the Virtues. I know I cannot make such a statement. To do so would be to stray once again by forsaking Honesty by speaking an untruth. So, yes, we must first return to and find the path of Virtue before we can begin to ask others to follow us in Virtue.

Even once we have returned to the path of the Virtues, we shall still need to guard carefully not to stray from the true path of Virtue. This would be for most a lifelong struggle. We do not have a lifetime to spend on this; we must make haste to return to the Virtuous path so we will be permitted to lead others along the Virtuous path. As the faithful and the leaders within our society it falls to us to be the first, to be in the forefront of this reawakening of Virtue for our lands. Then we must lead those close to us, within our homes, guilds, alliances, towns, cities, and wherever else we congregate, back to the path of the Virtues. This too would usually be an undertaking that could span generations. Once again, we do not have generations, we have but the here and now. There has been enormous turning from the Virtues in recent times. Even some that once were sworn to the Virtuous path have strayed and taken up other standards. We are at a crossroads where our actions may determine whether our lands will ever return to the Virtues. We must first devote ourselves to the Virtues, immediately and totally. Then we can work to purify our closest friends and allies in the path of the Virtues. With their aid we will tend the Virtuous ones allowing Virtue to once again spread among those who have lost their way due to indifference or lack of guidance. But this is just the beginning. Once we have returned all within our spheres of influence, then and only then can we begin to plan to spread the Virtues and convert those who have intentionally revoked their standing in Virtue. That will be our final test, our final battle. May we tread in the path of Virtue all the while as we step forward on our quest, our final and most important quest.
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Bartholomew; Celebrant of Virtue {HCV}